Businessman sues State newspaper for $2B

Businessman Clifton Bacchus has sued the State newspaper, the Guyana Chronicle for 2 billion dollars for libel published regarding his hotel operations here.

In court documents seen by the News Room, the hotelier is claiming damages in excess of $2B for the publication of several articles insinuating that he is involved in money laundering.

Bacchus is also seeking an injunction restraining the Defendants listed as the Guyana National Newspapers Limited and the Editor of the Guyana Chronicle from further publishing similar articles.

Bacchus, in a statement shortly after the publication of the articles, dismissed the allegations that his business – the Sleepin international hotel and casino -are engaged in, connected to, associated with and/or funded by money laundering, drug trafficking and/or drug smuggling.

Attorney Anil Nandlall said his client and his company are not funded by Bhagwandath Parmasar as was stated in the article and lamented that the businessman is losing big through the cancellation of reservations as a result of the erroneous claims.

“Our client’s financing is from Trust Company (Guyana Limited) and Scotia Bank (Guyana), Wide Grace Limited and Global Trading Company Limited,” Nandlall said.

The publication of these controversial articles came just before the Guyana Gaming Authority was scheduled to visit the recently constructed casino in an assessment to determine whether to grant the businessman licences to operate the adult entertainment center.

Bacchus in March had reapplied for approval to operate the after he was denied permission last year.